The Odd Couple

In The Odd Couple, Oscar and Felix are presented as diametric opposites. However, they are united in their willingness to indulge in their vices at the expense of their friends and family. They act selfishly and often justify their behaviors by invoking their divorces. Highlighting each man’s egocentrism is one way that Simon satirizes marriages. He demonstrates that happy marriages are only possible if each partner believes the other is worthy of compromise and respect. Oscar and Felix do not realize this until they essentially replicate the conditions of their divorce.

Oscar is carefree and wants to live an easy life. However, he takes this to extremes by living in filth and spending his money on himself instead of his family. He acknowledges his poor treatment of Blanche throughout their marriage, telling Felix:

“You think you’re impossible to live with? Blanche used to say, ‘What time do you want dinner?’ And I’d say, ‘I don’t know. I’m not hungry.’ Then at three o’clock in the morning I’d wake her up and say ‘Now!’ … I’ve been one of the highest paid sports writers in the East for the past fourteen years—and we saved eight and a half dollars—in pennies! I’m never home, I gamble, I burn cigar holes in the furniture, drink like a fish and lie to her every chance I get, and for our tenth wedding anniversary, I took her to see the New York Rangers-Detroit Red Wings hockey game, where she got hit with a puck. And I still can’t understand why she left me. That’s how impossible I am!” (36)

Oscar’s laundry list of examples shows that he can picture times when he was a bad husband. However, he concludes by saying he still can’t grasp why their marriage ended. Even though he was able to recall countless instances of lying, stealing, and indulging his worst vices, he is unable to grasp the idea that he was primarily at fault for his divorce. While he exhibits occasional moments of vulnerability where he admits the difficulties he experiences living alone, he is unwilling to take any personal responsibility for his life circumstances. Oscar finds it much easier to continue living his careless life and focusing on himself than to do any introspection. His refusal to diverge from his ideals sets him up for failed relationships by preventing any opportunity for meaningful communication and compromise.

Felix is known for his anxious and uptight nature. However, he channels these to the detriment of others, by insisting on constantly cleaning and running environments to his liking. He also uses his anxieties to justify his self-centered behavior. This is especially clear during Oscar’s conversation with Frances about his disappearance. Frances recounts receiving a “suicide telegram” from Felix, and Oscar realizes he did this to convince her to change his mind (19). This behavior is both toxic and egocentric. While Felix is genuinely suffering, he forces all his loved ones to be involved in his planned last moments without their consent. Whether he was sending a foreboding message to his family or showing up to his friends’ poker game after taking an entire bottle of pills, Felix constantly attempts to use his anxiety to justify his desire for attention and control. As was the case with Oscar, Felix ruined his relationship by valuing himself over his partner and indirectly not allowing her to express her point of view.

Both men lost their wives as a result of their actions, and they almost lose each other when they replicate these patterns during their partnership. However, once they realize the importance of their friendship, Simon suggests they will be able to change. Although the play ends on an ambiguous note, Felix still affirms the importance of their friendship, telling Oscar, “Marriages may come and go, but the game must go on” (89). In this way, they are able to prioritize their common interests and mutual friends over their selfish tendencies. This bodes positively for their future and suggests that the problem of the ego can be overcome.